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Female long-distance global champion the athlete has been banned for 36 months after the Kenyan acknowledged doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance used commonly as a concealing drug - on March 14.

The athlete's accomplishments which occurred before that sample - including her world record performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had requested a 48-month ban but the runner's penalty was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the AIU will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's phone which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring messages dating back to 2022.

"This matter regarding the positive test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will keep looking into the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's device to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the initial female to complete a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an reason for the failed test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic below the minimal reporting level were also identified in a test collected from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a later interview on July 11, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the authority.

Chepngetich altered her story on 31 July, stating that she had used her domestic worker's medication - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month sanction applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after Chepngetich confessed to the anti-doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban commenced on April 19 - when Chepngetich agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's results, awards, championships, participation and earnings from March 14 forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention capable of revealing doping violations performed by elite athletes in their events."